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Yamaha's Motobot Robot Rides a YZF-R1M

Motobot is Yamaha's latest creation, a robot that rides motorcycles, and a concept that is aimed at providing Iwata with extensive knowledge in new systems that may be later implemented in their vehicles.
Yamaha Motobot 11 photos
Photo: Yamaha
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Given the fact that Motobot doesn't fall under the European licensing restrictions, it should not be a surprise to see the robot debuting on Yamaha's top-of-the-line YZF-R1M machine. According to the commentary of the video Yamaha revealed, Motobot's creators found inspiration in Valentino Rossi's riding style.

The goal is to ride an unmodified bike at 200 km/h on a circuit

The robot is only a concept in its early development stage, riding an R1M equipped with training wheels attached to a sturdy tubular steel frame. It may look funny to some, but these are top-level safety precautions.

We don't know yet if Motobot can turn the bike around, but seeing it doing north of 100 km/h (62 mph) with ease really feels glorious. Yamaha says that Motobot will be able to ride the R1M well enough and perform all the maneuvers a rider usually makes while riding.

Then, Yamaha hopes to take Motobot to the next level, with the aim of having it capable of riding an unmodified motorcycle. And not on the flat concrete of closed industrial yards, but on a real-world circuit.

As for the part where Motobot will become so good at riding that it will beat Rossi at his own game, we believe this is possible, but we just have to make a mention. We guess that Rossi will be too old to set blistering lap times on the MotoGP circuits by the time Motobot (or its sons or nephews) is able to race there. But you can never tell these days...

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